I've seen an old fighter, tired and in trouble
Who just couldn't take anymore
Somethin' inside him kept fighting to finish
With only his feet on the floor, yeahLord, I know that it's worth any price you could pay
To see truth in whatever disguise
But I'd payed double for one look of pleasure
A piece of relief in his eyesAin't that clown laughin' like crazy?
Ain't his eyes empty and deep?
Don't he sound sad as a baby
When she cries out in her sleep?We measured the space between Waylon and Willie
And Willie and Waylon and me
But there wasn't nothin' like Billy Joe Shaver
Where Billy Joe Shaver should be, noWhen he showed up sick later, all bit by a spider
And crazy to look in the eye
He put on a show that was sad as it should've been
And nobody even knew whyAin't that clown laughin' like crazy?
Ain't his eyes empty and deep?
Don't he sound sad as a baby
When she cries out in her sleep?